Tag: petrol

CCPC publishes report saying the vast majority did not hike fuel prices

Following significant price increases and calls from Government representatives to the public to notify high fuel prices and price gouging to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the CCPC has published its report examining the issues raised. This is in the context of conflict in the Middle East and the resultant impacts on international commodity markets.

Consumer complaints

The CCPC has published details of more than 900 complaints received from consumers from the week of 2 March. While a small number (fewer than 5%) of complaints reported specific consumer protection issues with certain home heating oil suppliers, the CCPC found that the vast majority of the complaints examined articulated high levels of consumer distress and frustration at very sudden and significant price rises across essential fuel products. Controlling prices in competitive markets is outside the scope of competition and consumer protection law. As a result, complaints relating solely to price increases would not constitute a breach of these laws.

In response to the consumer protection issues identified, the CCPC has written to the home heating oil industry to remind them of their consumer protection obligations under the law. This includes the requirement to clearly explain to consumers how their prices are calculated. CCPC investigators are engaging with consumers and companies to further examine a small number of complaints.

CCPC Chair, Brian McHugh, said:

“The distress and concern we heard from consumers was very real. A large number of consumers suspected that recent price increases were illegal and motivated in significant part to increase profits. However, while we have identified a small number of questionable consumer protection practices, we have not seen price increases that are in breach of any law. Ireland is an open market economy where businesses are free to set their own prices for goods and services.” 

Market analysis 

The CCPC report sets out a high-level markets analysis informed by previous research, a large number of merger investigations in road fuels and home heating markets, and a review of published profit margins. The analysis found that these markets are reasonably competitive.

The CCPC examined wholesale costs in these markets and confirmed stark increases in prices across relevant markets. The CCPC also compared movements in wholesale prices to retail prices and considered international comparisons of retail fuel prices.

Taken together, the examination of wholesale prices, retail prices and the review of the home heating oil and road fuel markets indicate that the price increases seen in recent weeks were not driven by competition issues, but rather by significant increases in international wholesale costs.

CCPC Chair, Brian McHugh, said:

“The CCPC is very familiar with the road fuel and home heating oil markets in Ireland, and we know these markets are relatively competitive. We have examined the wholesale price increases across international markets in recent weeks. And, while we cannot rule out that individual companies may have benefited from price increases, overall, the very high price increases we are seeing nationally across both the home heating oil and road fuel markets are driven by increases in wholesale costs.”

Conclusion

The number and nature of the complaints received clearly demonstrate very high levels of worry and concern among consumers and the CCPC strongly acknowledges the extent of the impact on consumers and businesses. However, as the increased fuel prices are not due to competition issues in the market, there are no competition or consumer protection measures that can be taken to alleviate the impacts of high wholesale prices on consumers and businesses.

The CCPC will continue to screen contacts to its helpline for breaches of consumer protection and competition law and monitor markets for signs of dysfunction. The CCPC will also work with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as requested by Government, on a longer-term study to identify any obstacles currently preventing the electricity and gas markets from operating efficiently.

 

2026 Energy market review

The CCPC has been asked by Government to review the energy market and identify any obstacles currently preventing the market from operating efficiently. This work is currently underway and the CCPC is engaging with stakeholders including the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to ensure that our analysis complements its existing work.

2022 Fuel market report 

In November 2022, the CCPC published an in-depth analysis of the retail motor fuel market and pricing over nineteen days in March 2022. This followed sharp price increases, against an international backdrop of price increases in energy, the war in Ukraine and high inflation.

The aim of the analysis was to examine claims of lack of competition or pricing irregularities in the sector. The CCPC received detailed pricing information relating to 50% of the service stations in the State. The research showed that international prices drove price increases for consumers in the period leading up to the Government’s excise cut, rather than stations illegally coordinating their prices or a lack of competition.

Link to 2022 report press notice

Ring unveils ULTRASTART + AIR – a compact jump starter and inflator

Renowned auto accessory giant, Ring Automotive, has long been dedicated to providing the aftermarket with new and exciting products, and one of its first of 2026 is the ULTRASTART + AIR!

This new product is a powerful, multi‑functional emergency tool combining a jump starter and tyre inflator in one compact unit.

Similar to other products in its portfoilio, this new product from Ring is not limited to being just one piece of equipment, but multiple. The ULTRASTART + AIR is a jump starter, tyre inflator, as well as an LED light and powerbank to ensure the user has everything available to them in an emergency. It is also a compact item that can easily be stored in the glove compartment or anywhere in the vehicle if necessary.

For the jump starter aspect of the tool, its comes with two smart clamps that offer reverse polarity protection and also has a boost function for starting dead batteries. In addition, the ULTRASTART + AIR has integrated hose storage for the tyre inflator element and a storage bag that will hold all of the extra accessories it comes with.

In terms of the engines it can assist with, it’s suitable for up to a six litre petrol and three litre diesel engine. It has a clear display, is easy to use and has an ergonomic body, so is comfortable to hold.

Marketing Director, Henry Bisson, commented: “We are regularly conducting market research on what would be the most helpful to technicians as well as drivers, which is where the ULTRASTART + AIR has come from. Having one piece of equipment that can solve a variety of problems is convenient for all and so, very popular, which is why more of the tools we’re introducing to the market are multi functional.

“The ULTRASTART + AIR is a very powerful tool and due to its suitability for many vehicles, we anticipate this being one of our bestsellers.”

RRP: £100

Drivers of electric vehicles more likely to be at fault in road traffic crashes than drivers of petrol and diesel cars

Drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to be involved in at-fault road traffic accidents than drivers of petrol and diesel cars, a study by researchers at Lero, the Research Ireland Centre for Software, and University of Limerick reveals.

In a paper to be published in November in the journal Accident Analysis & Prevention, the Lero researchers analysed insurance claims and data from onboard sensors and revealed a number of key findings:

  • Electric and hybrid drivers exhibit different behaviours than drivers of traditional vehicles.
  • Electric vehicles record more at-fault claims than traditional vehicles.
  • Electric vehicles are 6.7% more expensive to repair than traditional vehicles.

Lero researcher and co-director of the Centre of Emerging Risk Studies the Kemmy Business School, Dr Barry Sheehan, said EV drivers have a higher chance of experiencing an at-fault claim than drivers of cars with internal combustion engines (ICE).

“Our research finds that despite their lower average mileage than internal combustion engines, lower road exposure for EV drivers does not reduce their risk of experiencing an at-fault insurance claim. When analysing at-fault claims, we find a 4 % increase in crashes from EVs and a 6 % increase for hybrids (HYBs) compared to internal combustion engines.

“However, when tested with statistical models, hybrids do not display any further concerns of increased at-fault claim risk. These results indicate that EVs have a higher risk profile than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

“Our research shows drivers’ driving behaviour changes significantly when switching to hybrids or EVs. These results mean EVs are more likely to experience an at-fault claim than internal combustion engines,” added Dr Sheehan, Associate Professor in Risk and Finance at UL.

Lero researcher and lead author Kevin McDonnell said their analysis of each fuel type shows that EVs and hybrids have lower average mileages than internal combustion engines.

“This suggests that internal combustion engines should have a higher probability of incurring an at-fault claim than alternate energy fuel-type vehicles. However, the claims data contradicts this assumption by providing evidence of increased at-fault claim occurrences in EVs through predictive modelling and risk analysis,” he added.

Lero’s Professor Finbarr Murphy, Executive Dean of the Kemmy Business School at UL and co-author said that, given the increased likelihood of incurring an at-fault insurance claim with less mileage, significant first-party damages, and battery costs, alternative energy vehicles are riskier and have a higher financial burden than petrol and diesel cars.

The study used telematic data from 125 million commercial fleet vehicle trips involving 14,642 vehicles recorded from January 2022 to October 2022 in the Netherlands. It also used an insurance claims dataset during the same period.

Lero, the Research Ireland Centre for Software, is based at University of Limerick and funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, formerly Science Foundation Ireland. 

The paper is co-authored by Lero and UL’s Kevin McDonnell, Dr Barry Sheehan and Professor Finbarr Murphy as well as Professor Montserrat Guillen of Universitat de Barcelona and is available to read in full at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457524003063?via%3Dihub